May 2009 mommies, come join the fun!

[PMApsy]

Hi guys,

It's late and I'm completely exhausted, but I just wanted to take a peek and let you know that I'm still alive! And that I'm absolutely thrilled we have new mommies joining the thread, yippee!!!! I'll write personals tomorrow ASAP.

Hugs,

Sophie

[Anie]

Hi.

Amanda/ Valerie: How are you doing?
I know what you mean by being scared doing anything. I'm like that as well but now im a bit more confortable in doing small task like just carry a pan.

Still im being caustious with all the other heavy stuff like laundry,pulling things, shopping etc.

Yesterday we went to Madonna concert. It was so great but very tireing!
It was supposed to start at 7pm and it only started ater 9!

The sound system was not good but her performance was amazing!
I can't believe how fit she is at 50!!!

I was a bit worried because of the loud music but im sure my babies enjoyed it

Wish you all a good weekend.
Anie

[AmandaM]

Anie

I'm feeling good today. A little pressure in my lower abdomen. My boos aren't that sore today. I am hoping it is normal for symptoms to come and go. How have you been feeling?

So glad you had fun at the concert. I have never heard her in concert before.

You said babies. I take it you are having twins? That is exciting.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Amada

[Anie]

Amanda: Well, i said babies because 2 blastocyst were transfered.
I don't know yet if i will have twins or singleton.....

Have a nice weekend

Anie

[slfleming1]

Hey there Ladies! Glad to see some familiar folks in here! I have my 3rd beta on Wednesday...and I can't wait! I've still been having abdominal cramping and back pain, but it hasn't been too bad. And still burping!

I'm definitely starting to worry more about everything going smoothly. I have a friend who announced a few days before her 12 week ultrasound last month and lost the baby. I keep thinking about how she must have gone through everything I am now and then lost the baby How sad that must be....

So trying to keep the PMA and be excited. But it's hard when I'm not sharing this with most people in my life! And I so want to tell everyone and celebrate!!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

-Stacy

[PMApsy]

Hello ladies!

How are you doing? I'm SO HAPPY to see new mommies join the thread! let's keep it going!!!

Amanda,
welcome!!! So happy you're joining us! I totally understand your feelings about the ultrasound... always seems ages away!!! but I hope you'll have a nice surprise on that day! And as for twins or more, I can't wait to know the result! Super good beta by the way... my doc said that, if the first beta is over 500, there is a chance you might be expecting more than one. But betas often give false impressions...

Anie,
Hi there! Do you have symptoms yet? was it hard to find a doctor? Here in Quebec, we have a mini baby boom... it's because of the new law (both parents can take 12 months off between the two of them). So I could not choose my doc and I was booked on a cancellation. Oh and don't worry about the lack of symptoms! You're lucky!!! Those symptoms are reassuring in a way, but they're not a proof that your baby is doing well or anything... I kept feeling nauseous and gagging even after my baby died during my last pregnancy, just because the embryo was still producing HCG even after it was over. So as you can see, one shouldn't read too much in pregnancy symptoms. My best friend didn't feel sick or tired, and her baby is now very healthy, she's 10 weeks now.

Hi Val! Nice to see you here! LOL with the burping! Must not be fun.... has it subsided a bit? You're right, your work creates a though dilemma... the heavy lifting is for a good reason. When you lift something heavy, there's pressure around your groins area (tes aines), and it cuts the blood flow momentarily, which interrupts the blood flow to your uterus and your baby. So you don't want to lift anything over 5 lbs. Not standing for too long, I wouldn't panic if I were you. I called the health office here at the hospital (I'm an onco-psychologist) and they told me the limit for people who work standing up is no more than 7 hours a day until week 22, where it drops to 4 hours max. First time I hear about the dangers of "bending over". Did you make sure the chemicals you use at work are safe for you and the baby? Of course being pregnant isn't a disease, but as my doc said, if you do miscarry, you'd really feel guilty. I think one of the ways to check if what you're doing is a good idea or not is to check for spotting. Plus you should wait until after your first ultrasound to see if the baby(ies) is/are well implanted. That should give you a clue...

Amanda,
How are things at work? Yeah, it's normal that symptoms come and go, like I told Anie. Don't read too much into it. The only thing that should make you worry is a permanent loss of all symptoms (not the lack of them from the start).

Ana,
THANKS sweetie! It's so nice of you to drop by!!!! *HUGS*

Stacy,
Glad to have news! I know those horror stories make you realize not to take your pregnancy for granted even if you have that BFP... but do keep this in mind. Whether you worry or not, your pregnancy will run its course. Even if you wrap yourself in cotton and stay in bed all day, if your embryo(s) is/are not in good shape, it won't happen this time. Sometimes, thinking about this helps me let go and stop trying to control what I can't by worrying. I also know what it's like not to tell people around you because you want to wait. I completely understand how the weeks seem to streeeeeeeetch! But you will get there!!! And soon you'll be just bursting to tell the happy news to those around you!

As for me, things are going smoothly. I still have to take several small meals every couple of hours or so, if not, I feel nauseous. But the meds make a huge difference, let me tell you! Wow! Still exhausted, but taking naps really helps. The spotting has stopped completely, and for good I hope. I did two tests last week, and it seems having a big O wasn't helping (caused minor bleeding for 12 hours each time). Looks like I'll have to be a good girl for a few more weeks!!! Even if my doctor told me I was allowed, I prefer not to... even if I know the bleeding is minor, it still affects my PMA, and it's not worth it. Other than that, I'll start my first yoga class tonight with my best friend Anne, who is also pregnant (due April 12th). Can't wait to see her, it's been a couple of weeks, and see if her body has changed! Thankfully, my bloating seems to have subsided a little during the weekend, and I don't feel so snug in my pants. Phew. It was getting out of control! I'll shop for a bella band, though, just in case... anyone heard of it?

Okay, time to give the first list a shot... yippee!

Take care ladies,

Sophie xxox

[PMApsy]

Here it is! tell me if I made mistakes... and Stacy, please help me fill in the blanks!

Due dates

Stefanie is due on May 2nd! TWINS ALERT! :D
Sophie is due on May 5th!
Amanda is due on May 16th!
Anie is due on May 17th!
Valerie is due on May 17th!
Stacy is due on May ??th!


Ultrasounds and medical appointments

Stefanie ultrasound on September ??th!
Valerie ultrasound on September 23rd!
Anie ultrasound on September 25th!
Amanda ultrasound on September 26th!
Stacy ultrasound on September ??th!
Sophie ob-gyn 1st apt on October 9th!

[slfleming1]

Was just talking to my sister-in-law (her due date was yesterday!!!) about clothes, etc., and she mentioned the bella band. Said it worked great and got her through most of working while pregnant.

I'm definitely feeling better today. My DH and I had a great talk last night and I'm way less stressed. Although he flew out this morning and won't return until Friday, and so we'll see how I feel in a few days. It's hard having him gone during the week right now. I'm just hoping he'll be able to make it to that first ultrasound. They will schedule it after my 3rd beta on Wednesday.

Thanks Sophie for the advice - you are right about it just being what it is so stressing doesn't make a difference. Hopefully my SIL will have her baby soon to take my mind off of it!

BTW My due date should be May 18th.

Have a great day!
-Stacy

[stefanie]

I am so glad this thread was started. I was on a May babies list on another website, but I think conceiving after IVF and struggle is such a different thing. Everyone there is talking about shopping and I'm praying to get through this first trimester and talking about gratitude and stuff. Not to mention the age difference.

My TTC history is in my signature, but basically I'm having twins and they're due somewhere around 5/2/09

Hi Amanda - Yeah - with those numbers it could be Babies!

Today I am feeling weird twinges. Gas? Growing Uterus? Something else? I think I'll be nail biting until u/s this Thursday.

Overall I am so excited and finding it hard to concentrate on work. Hubby is away, and every evening I have to go to the home of a few kind volunteers to get my progesterone shot. (a friend's sister who is a nurse, a friend who did IVF years ago etc etc. ) Nice of people to pitch in.

[valerie68]

Hello everyone!

Sophie~ First of all, thanks for that great list! It's so cute and made me laugh because of the smileys.

I'm so glad that your pregnancy is going smoothly...a relief not to be spotting anymore. I hear it's very common to spot and bleed, but that is one thing I do not want to see for the next 8 months.
It's wonderful that you get to do yoga with your best friend who is also pregnant. You can really share the experience together. And since she is slightly ahead of you, she can give you great tips.
I have heard of the bella band and was thinking of buying some as I get further along in the pregnancy.


Stacy~ My burping sister. What a strange symptom to have. But I think that for me it replaces M/S as I get it a lot when I'm hungry. The hungrier, the more burps it seems, but it's not always true.
The hard part about all of this is that there's no guarantee that we will have good outcomes. Stressful it is but I agree with Sophie that we can not change the outcome and the best is to let go.
A concept I seemed to have totally lost last night(3am) as I woke up feeling so down and as if I was no longer pregnant! I had such a tough time no matter how much I reminded myself that I still had symptoms the previous day.
I'm feeling a lot more twinges down low in my belly today. My cousin who is pregnant right now ( at 15 weeks) told me that she has had a lot of those twinges/pulls down low too.

Anie~ I say babiestoo all the time because I had 3 blasts transferred. how are you feeling?

I am working but at a slower speed. I'm not carrying anything heavy. When I feel I had enough, I stop and go home.
As far as the chemicals I'm using, I will only spray if it's absolutely necessary and I have a mask to protect me. Otherwise I use organic remedies.
I check for spotting every time I go to the loo.....as all of you do I'm sure. So far, no even a speck of anything!! I will feel better once I see the heartbeat(s). One more week and I'm there.

Amanda~ I still talk to you on our thread and it's so nice to see you here. I hope we get some more ladies from there too.
I know you are anxiously waiting for your US to be scheduled but the longer you wait, the more you will see. Although the wait is a killer. Perhaps you can ask for an earlier date! You get a third beta at least...I'm done as far as that is concerned, unless they do another one on the day of the US.

Well, I better go cook dinner as the embies are screaming for food again. I feel like I eat all day and never feeling NOT hungry. That is ok as I know they must be growing.

Have a wonderful evening!!
Hugs and much love to all.

Val

[stefanie]

Hi Valerie!

Nice to see you here.

I eat all day too.Sometimes to ease the quease and sometimes 'casue I just want to eat again - Breakfast, Early lunch, mid afternoon lunch, early dinner and late dinner. LOL!

Suddenly egg salad (homemade w/ properly stored mayonaise) is like the greatest food ever invented.

Hope I didn't just make anyone gag!

stef

[Anie]

Sophie: Thank you for doing the list.
It is very well done and so lively
Could you please make one change for me next time you do the list.
At the moment my due date is 17th May.
I hope everything is ok on my scan. So scared.....sometimes feel so negative sometimes i keep my PMA.....

Yesterday had a big argument with one of the staff and got really stressed out. Was really nasty argument, to be honest.
After that spent all day worrying about my babies. Hope they are alright...


And hello to everybody else.


Anie

[AmandaM]

Hi Girls

I was posting to you all earlier with long replies to everyone and then I close the web browser. oops. I hope everyone is having a happy day.

Sophie - Thank you so much for putting together the wonderful list. How nice it will be to keep track of how everyone is doing in the process. Next time you update it, can you make one small change. My u/s is sept 26. Thanks. Work is horrible lately. I can't stand going in every morning knowing I have nothing to do for 4 or 5 hours. Thanks for your kind words. I was worried when my symptoms disappeared. I was having breast tenderness, a fullness feeling in my lower belly, frequent urination. Although they did stop and haven't felt anything for 4 days I feel better. My nurse assured me that it can be normal for symptoms to go away at this stage. Sometimes they come back sometimes they don't. But with my great third beta today I feel so much better. Plus, she said the breast tenderness is from the progesterone and not the pregnancy and that woman getting pregnant in normal circumstances wouldn't feel anything yet. I know the HCG numbers don't exactly mean multiples, but after having 3 blasts transfered, and my high numbers, I do think I am having twins. I'm a little scared about that because I am only 5ft tall and their won't be much room for 2. So glad your spotting has stopped. I am sure that was very scary .I think spotting is fairly common during the first trimester though. How wonderful to go through the pregnancy at the same time as your best friend. Yoga is a great way to reduce stress and keep the PMA up. Have you had your u/s yet? Do you know how many babies you are having?

Stacy- I completely understand how you feel about being worried about everything going smoothly. I don't think I will be 100% relaxed until after the first trimester. I also know how hard it is not telling everyone the wonderful news. Sophie's advice was great and I try to tell myself the same thing, doesn't always work though.
I'm glad you are feeling less stressed today. I can only imagine how hard it is having your DH leave town when you are already stressed about how things are going. I can't wait to hear your third beta results. How many blasts did you have transfered? Let us know how it goes with your SIL.

Anie - Don't worry about lack of symptoms. At first I had no symptoms at all. Then I only felt them for a few days and then went away. I had my third beta today and it was really good. The nurse assured me that this is normal and fine. Most people don't have symptoms at this point. But I do fully understand how difficult it is when you want to feeling something to know that the baby is doing well. I was worried for 4 days for nothing. So please don't worry yourself too much.

Stefanie - I think my numbers might mean twins. I won't find out though until Sept 26. It would be exciting and scary at the same time. I know what you are talking about with other women not having the same concerns we do during the first trimester due to going through IVF. I'm 28 though, so I am younger than a lot of people going through this, but it is still very difficult. That is great you have people who can help you when your DH can't. It seems like most people on here are doing progesterone shots. My clinic does suppositories.

Valerie - My clinic will only do the u/s a day early. They told me that at 6 weeks they can't see anything. Oh well. It's only 10 more days of waiting. It will be worth the wait though to know who many babies I am having and to see nice strong heartbeats. I can't wait to hear how your u/s goes. Do you have a guess of how many babies you are having? I asked today and I don;t have another beta after today. I am feeling so much better now that I got a strong beta and my nurse told me it is fine that the symptoms went away. How are you feeling today. It would be great if more people joined the group and we could have a big support group along this journey. That's good that you are taking it easy at work.

As for me my third beta 19dp5dt was 9,269. I am thinking that is good and might be a little high. It could be twins, but won't know for sure until the u/s. I'm still not feeling much of anything. I might have a little pressure in my lower abdomen. As long as the baby(ies) are good, I am happy not having any symptoms.

Amanda

[slfleming1]

Amanda - congrats on a GREAT 3rd beta! I transferred 2 blasts, so it could be one or two! It will be interesting to see my number tomorrow... At first I was scared to death of the idea of twins, but now I feel I'll be thrilled either way.

BTW - it was really cool during my transfer when they showed the blasts in the petri dish, you could see one had started hatching! So that's the lil' guy I keep thinking is the one who made it and who I cheered on during the 2ww! It's so crazy to see them before and during the transfer...

So my SIL is scheduled to induce a week from Thursday, if she doesn't go into labor before then. Her due date was last Sunday. It is so exciting and will be even more fun if everything goes well with me! I'm so pessimistic...I keep thinking that maybe once the next test goes well I'll feel more like it is real and is really going to happen. I'm ready to be really HAPPY and EXCITED and not worried.

-Stacy

[PMApsy]

Good morning ladies!!

How are you doing today? Let me do personals first!

Stacy,
Thanks for telling me about your due date, I'll update it. I checked out the bella band website, and they have camis and tank tops and even leggins and pants. Being 6' tall, I don't think the pants and leggings will be long enough. However, the bella band really seems worth it. Many women commented about being able to wear their pre-pregnancy pants until the end, unbuttoned. We'll see if I'm able to do that, but at least it would spare me the trouble of driving two hours to the Tall Girl shop in Ottawa and find maternity pants that fit! Apparently, when you're really tall you don't start showing before a loooong time. A friend of mine, who is 6' tall and rather skinny, didn't show until 8 months!! She was so disappointed that she couldn't enjoy her baby belly longer! But you probably know how it is... with the progesterone we're taking, the bloating makes you tight around the waist already...

I'm really glad that you had a great talk with your DH the other night. It must feel very lonely without him this week!!! Usually, it's useless to have an ultrasound before 6 weeks because you won't see much, and even then, you might not see the heartbeat until week 7. So I'm sure your DH will be there with you for that special moment! Can't wait to hear about your beta!

Stefanie,
Hello there! You're so right! Even if our pregnancies, after week 6, are considered normal, the struggles we go through before we get there make us very different. And even then, IVFers are very different from each other! But I'm really glad you joined us. Aha, so you're the first to be due in May!!! I'll gladly add you to the list. Good luck for your ultrasound tomorrow! Are they doing a second ultrasound to check the heartbeats? As for the weird twinges, they're all normal. Yeahm, I've had pretty severe abdominal pain because of constipation and bloating, and I've also had twinges and little cramps when my uterus grows. Plus I have been through 3 surgeries, so there are scar tissues all over the place in there, which increase the pain. But all this is normal. Hang in there for the PIO, it will soon be over! Just a little month! Oh, and egg salad sandwiches are SO GOOD! A real life saver when you need to eat something fast! For the last two days, I've been in love with tomato sandwiches... nice ripe juicy tomatoes between thick slices of fresh bread with mayo, salt and pepper and a touch of basil... oooooooooooooooh yummmmmm! I think I'll eat another one tonight, lol!

Valerie,
Oh, you're right my friend, spotting didn't make me panic after the first ultrasound showed there was no bleeding inside the uterus... but it's not a pretty sight. It keeps bugging you, and each time you go to the bathroom you have that inner debate.. to look or not to look at the panty liner! So yeah, I'm quite proud of my underwear these days! And to make things worse, vaginal discharge is worse during pregnancy, so sometimes you feel that little something slide down, and you don't know if it's just discharge or blood... ah, well. But it's behind me now! yay! As for my friend Anne giving me tips, she did advise me to make my prenatal test apt, which I did. But LOL most of the times, I'm the one who gives advice the most! Geez, I had to tell her to tell the yoga teacher that she was pregnant because she didn't see the relevance! Come on, it changed a great deal and the teacher told her! And how are you these days? How's the burping? I, too, feel like I'm always hungry... sometimes I'm amazed; I just ate a big apple, carrot sticks and radishes, and a lemon drop and I'm still hungry! Like borderline-nauseous hungry!

Anie,
I will make the change promptly my lady! I'm so sorry you had a bad argument... must not help with the stress before the u/s. Remember, you're doing everything you can right now, and there's now way to tell what's going on in there yet. The best you can do is just let your body do its work, the meds too, and keep entertaining yourself the most you can. TV really helps during those times, and watching movies. And work, as crazy as it sounds. I'm also keeping everything crossed for your babies, and I'm sure you'll have great news to share after your ultrasound!

Amanda,
Hi! I'll make the change pronto! Oh, I'm sorry to hear that work is so boring sweetie... I UNDERSTAND, if you only knew!!!! I'm having trouble to get referrals at the hospital, because it's the first time those departments have an onco-psychologist available. So the docs don't have the time to evaluate the need for referral, and the nurses didn,t understand my role too well at first... and then I've been desperately trying to launch an evaluation questionnaire for every oncology patient to detect those who needed to see me... but I've met so much problems on the way! It should be launched soon, but it's been going on since Feb!!! So for months and months I had like 3 patients on my caseload and spent my time surfing the net... so boring, and your motivation slowly dies! I'm glad that the nurse reassured you about your symptoms. And as for the twins and the available room, don't worry. If your body couldn,t take it, they wouldn't have implanted. Think about the mothers who have quints or triplets and so on. The babies still manage. Your body will accomodate, don't worry. To answer your question, I had two ultrasounds. One after I started spotting, and another one Monday last week. Both showed one healthy baby. We have a strong heartbeat and everything is just perfect in there, no problem at all. So I'm very confident that everything will go well. Congrats on your amazing beta!

Stacy,
Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry to hear that you're pessimistic sometimes! But it happened to me too. Those two weeks after the BFP are really stressful... but you'll see, once the ultrasound shows you what you want to see, once you find a heartbeat, the miscarriage risks drop below 5%. Isn't that nice to hear?? But the worries, they never completely go away. It's always up to you to deal with the normal anxiety so it doesn't become too intense.

So I went to the yoga class on Monday evening and it was FANTASTIC!!! Seriously, you guys should try it if you still haven't. We have to do 7 initiation lessons before we can go to prenatal classes. So the teacher adapted the moves sometimes for my friend and me. The lesson was just perfect, and the teacher is amazing. It was just intense enough so we felt like it was worth something, but easy enough so we felt competent and proud right from the beginning. I can't wait until I go there again on Monday! And it's been AGES since my best friend and I took classes together (maybe it goes back to high school, can you believe?) So it was really great.

And yesterday, I made an apt for the prenatal tests. It will be at my clinic, though I need a prescription from the ob-gyn who will see me during my pregnancy; it's for the insurance company. It's pricey (380$CAN) but the insurance will cover it 100%. They will do blood tests and an ultrasound to detect severe malformations (Down Syndrome, spina bifida, and so on). Plus my friend told me they will make us hear the baby's heartbeat! It's bound to be a magical moment! :D:D It's on October 27th (ages away) and I will be 13 weeks. My doctor's apt is still planned for October 9th.

That's about it for me ladies! I should do some work.... I have to do a presentation on October 15th...

Take care!

Sophie xxox